Trees in the Glebe Selecting the Right Tree -...
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Trees in the Glebe Selecting the Right Tree Resource Document – Work in Progress September 2016 Cover: This is a Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata). Its mature size is 18-24 m (60-80 ft) tall, with the trunk 30-60 cm (1-2 ft) in diameter – a stately tree. Its distinctive shaggy bark separates into long plates as it gets older; they loosen from the trunk and give the tree a shaggy look – which is how it gets its name. Its wood is valuable, it bears edible nuts and has (no currently identified) pest vulnerability. It grows best in rich, moist soil, but can tolerate different moisture levels. It prefers sun, but can tolerate some shade. It can live for 200 years. Shagbark Hickory is a good candidate for street planting in the Glebe as global warming continues. You can obtain a young one from local nurseries.
Transcript of Trees in the Glebe Selecting the Right Tree -...
Trees in the Glebe
Selecting the Right Tree
Resource Document – Work in Progress
September 2016
Cover: This is a Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata). Its mature size is 18-24 m (60-80 ft) tall, with the trunk 30-60 cm (1-2 ft) in diameter – a stately tree. Its distinctive shaggy bark separates into long plates as it gets older; they loosen from the trunk and give the tree a shaggy look – which is how it gets its name. Its wood is valuable, it bears edible nuts and has (no currently identified) pest vulnerability. It grows best in rich, moist soil, but can tolerate different moisture levels. It prefers sun, but can tolerate some shade. It can live for 200 years. Shagbark Hickory is a good candidate for street planting in the Glebe as global warming continues. You can obtain a young one from local nurseries.
Trees in the Glebe: Tips The best times to plant trees is in the spring and fall.
This resource document contains some suggestions on trees we might want to plant in our neighbourhood. Many factors enter into this choice.
Physical conditions: moisture, light, soil of the planting site. We have also made a special list of trees that are salt-tolerant – if your spot is exposed to the street and winter street-clearing operations, this should be a consideration.
Native species: in general, planting native trees, adapted to our local environment, particularly those that are resistant to pests, drought and pollution is preferred to introduced species which often contribute less to our ecology. If you spot ‘volunteers’, tree seedlings that are sprouting up on their own – consider asking the property owner if you can transplant the youngster before the landscapers and lawnmowers move in.
Diversity is key: We would want to steer clear of some trees that are overabundant. Further, genetic diversity is an issue -- a few of the trees that are (over) planted by the City are rumoured to be clones – honey locusts for example.
Climate change: We are expecting more heat waves & droughts, more extreme wind events, and according to some more freezing rain. Adaptation would speak to looking to the south of us for robust species. Assisted migration? Maybe not too farfetched – the climate in the next 100 years may be changing as much as it changed over thousands of years before.
Commercial availability: We did a scan of nurseries and local tree supply available. Trees that appear to be not readily available have been noted in the “Desirable, but hard to find” box.
A good part of this decision is also a matter of heart – many of us have fond childhood memories of a beloved tree.
Environment Committee – Glebe Community Association
Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
A native, small hardy slow-growing tree. It usually lives for about 200 years but can occasionally live much longer. Found both as tree and hedge row or shelter belt. Dense foliage down to ground level obstructs visibility. Needs protection from soil salt and road salt spray from vehicles.
Mature size: 9-16 m tall, trunk cm () in diameter Moisture: Prefers moist sites Shade: Full sun to part shade Soil: Well-drained clay, sand, loam
Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
A native tree that is adaptable to a wide range of conditions, and tolerates city conditions. Very disease free.
Mature size: 15-25m tall, Moisture: Adaptable Shade: Full sun to part shade Soil: Clay, sand, loam, humus enriched (forest floor)
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
The Silver Maple is a large, fast-growing tree and, although naturally a swamp and floodplain specialist, it can grow well on drier sites and tolerate soil compaction. Should not be planted close to foundations. The Silver Maple is very similar to the Red Maple. It’s a large tree, so make sure it will have plenty of room to grow.
Mature size: 24-27 m (80-90 ft) but up to 38 m (125 ft) tall, trunk 90-150 cm (3-5 ft) in diameter Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Shade: Slightly shade tolerant but prefers full sun Soil: Prefers rich soil
Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
The Striped Maple has large, beautiful, distinctive duck-foot-like leaves and striped green-white bark. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. This is a small understory maple, a bit fussy about soil conditions and growing environment, and well adapted to a cool understory.
Mature size: 10-13 m (30-40 ft) tall, trunk 25 cm (10 in) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers evenly moist soils Shade: Prefers full to partial shade, dislikes hot summer sun Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)
Bitternut Hickory resembles an ash tree from a distance and could be a good “ash-substitute” now that ashes are disappearing. The nuts, as the name applies, are inedible.
Mature size: 15-20 m (50-66 ft) tall, trunk 30-80 cm (1-2.7 ft) in diameter Moisture: Prefers moisture Shade: Prefers sun but can tolerate partial shade Soil: Prefers rich soil
White Oak (Quercus alba)
The White Oak is a large shade tree with valuable wood, very pale mature bark and edible acorns. It can live for several hundred years. The White Oak is somewhat cold-sensitive yet hardy at Ottawa and, with global warming, this tree makes a good candidate for more extensive planting.
Mature size: 20-30 m (66-100 ft) tall, trunk 50-120 cm (1.7-4 feet) in diameter
Moisture: Tolerates a variety of moisture levels Shade: Prefers full sun Soil: Tolerates a variety of soils Note: With its deep rooting system, it should not be planted close to septic tanks or
drainage tiles.
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Red Oak is a large shade tree which can grow well on good soils, while naturally growing in drier upland conditions. The Red Oak needs room to grow – it can tolerate shade when it’s younger, but needs full sun as it gets older. It doesn’t grow very well if it’s close to other trees.
Mature size: 20-30 m (66-100 ft) tall, trunk 30-90 cm (9-27 in) in diameter Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture levels
Shade: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate some shade Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Bur Oak has been commonly planted in Ottawa where it achieves massive dimensions due to tolerance of urban conditions and inherent longevity. Mature specimens look rugged from a distance, like “haunted house” trees. It is little affected by air pollution. Bur Oak should be planted more due to its combination of strong wood, urban tolerance and freedom from pests.
Mature size: 15-30 m (50-100 ft) tall, trunk 60-120 cm (2-4 ft) in diamtr Moisture: Tolerates a wide variety of moisture conditions, tolerates
drought because its roots grow deep into the ground Shade: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate moderate shade Soil: Can grow in a variety of soils Note: The bur oak’s roots grow deep into the soil, so plant it where there aren’t
underground pipes.
Basswood (Tilia americana)
Basswood is a handsome and large shade tree, which should be planted more extensively than it is. Bees love basswood flowers because they bloom in midsummer, when few other trees are in bloom.
Mature size: 18-21 m (60-70 ft) but up to 35 m (115 ft) tall, trunk 60-75 cm (2-2.5 ft) but up to 120 cm (4 ft) in diameter Moisture: Prefers moist soils Shade: Can grow in full shade or full sun
Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils
White Birch (Betula papyrifera)
White Birch is also known as Paper Birch and Canoe Birch. It is the white-barked native birch of forests near Ottawa. White birch trees are often used in landscaping because they will grow almost anywhere as long as they get enough sunlight. (Not European silver birch which is vulnerable to the bronze birch borer).
Mature size: 25 m (80 ft) tall, trunk is 60 cm (2 ft) in diameter Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture levels Shade: Needs full sun, intolerant to shade
Soil: Can tolerate a variety of soils Note: The non-native European White Birch (Betula pendula) is frequently planted but is
very susceptible to the native Bronze Birch Borer.
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
Yellow Birch is an attractive deep-forest species, often growing in association with Beech, Sugar Maple and Eastern Hemlock. It grows slowly and lives about 150 years.
Mature size: 18-22 m (60-75 ft) but occasionally up to 30 m (100 ft) tall, trunk 60 cm (2 ft) but up to 120 cm (4 ft) Moisture: Prefers moist soil Shade: Moderately shade-tolerant Soil: Prefers rich soil
Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
The Hornbeam, also known as Blue-Beech, is a relative of the birches and is an attractive understory tree. Blue beech is also called musclewood for its muscle-like ridges on the smooth-gray trunks. Good candidate for planting in shady places.
Mature size: A small tree, seldom more than 6 m (20 ft) tall, trunk up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter Moisture: Prefers moist and can tolerate seasonal flooding Shade: Can tolerate full shade, and full sun with ample
moisture Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils
Hop-hornbeam (also known as Ironwood) (Ostrya virginiana)
Hop-hornbeam or Ironwood is another relative of the birches. This tree is called Hop-hornbeam because the maturing clusters of fruit looks like hops. Hop-Hornbeam is a slow-growing tree adapted to many situations, except on waterlogged soils where the similarly sized Blue-Beech thrives.
Mature size: 7-12 m (25-40 ft) but up to 18 m tall, trunk 15-25 cm (6-10 in) but up to 60 cm (2 ft) in diameter Moisture: Moist to dry
Shade: Very shade-tolerant but tolerates full sun with ample moisture Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils Note: If planted in full sun on lighter soils, will benefit from a large ring of bark mulch up
to 8 cm (3 in) deep and supplemental watering to prevent leaf scorch in midsummer.
Serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.)
Serviceberries are a group of similar species related to apples (Rose family) and are becoming commonly planted for the tasty and edible fruit. Serviceberries are a very adaptable group of species, attract wildlife and offer beautiful fall colours. Serviceberry fruits were a staple food of the Cree tribes of the Prairies, who mixed the dried berries with buffalo meat to make pemmican.
Mature size: Up to 12 m (40 ft) tall, trunk 7-30 cm (3-12 in) in diameter
Moisture: Moist to dry sites Shade: Partial-shade to full sun Soil: Adaptable to all but water-logged soils
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Chokecherry is a small tree or tall shrub with attractive foliage and fruit. It is most noticeable in flower, with many dense, white elongated clusters of 5-petaled flowers which then become clusters of round shiny fruits, varying from yellow to red or almost black. The fruit is an important food source for birds. Chokecherry is a good candidate for more extensive planting.
Mature size: Up to 9 m (30 t) tall, trunk 15 cm (6 in) in diameter
Moisture: Moist to average soils Shade: Prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils Note: Chokecherry can be trained as a single-stemmed tree but will often sucker from the
roots at the base of the stem. To reduce root suckering, carefully tear the young shoots off with your hands instead of cutting with sharp tools.
Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.)
Hawthorns are useful for their ability to tolerate dry, windy areas, but due to sharp thorns, are not recommended for schoolyard plantings. The loggerhead shrike, which is critically endangered in Canada, prefers Hawthorn-rich areas as its habitat because of these thorns. Like crabapples, Hawthorn fruits contain high levels of pectin and have been used to make jams and jellies. Hawthorns make good candidates for more extensive planting.
Mature size: Up to 12 m (40 ft) tall, trunk 25-30 cm (10-12 in) in diameter Moisture: Moist to dry Shade: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade Soil: Adaptable, especially to high pH soils Note: If planting on heavy, wet soil, plant hawthorns on a mound, and loosen the soil in a
circle 6 times the width of the planting hole to a depth of 15 cm (6 in).
Alternate-Leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
The Alternate-Leaf Dogwood is the tallest (almost tree-like) of many attractive native and under-utilized Dogwoods. It is also called pagoda dogwood for its attractive horizontal tiers of branches on older trees. Its berries are a favourite food of summer songbirds.
Mature size: Up to 7 m (22 ft) tall, trunk 5-15 cm (2-6 in) in diameter
Moisture: Prefers evenly moist soils Shade: Prefers partial shade, full sun with ample moisture Soil: Prefers well-drained, deep soils Note: To provide understory species like alternate-leaf dogwood with even moisture all
year long, mulch well with 8 cm (3 in) of bark mulch, or plant near the sloped edge of a water feature where the roots can access water in the heat of the summer.
Mountain Ashes (Two species: Sorbus decora, Sorbus americana)
Native Mountain Ash species are small northern trees, uncommon near Ottawa (although the non-native European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is common in Ottawa). The fruit is a favourite food for overwintering birds.
Mature size: 3-9 m (10-30 ft) tall, trunk 10-25 cm (4-10 in) in diameter Moisture: Prefers moist ground, but can survive in dry conditions
Shade: Can tolerate some shade Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Witch-Hazel is an attractive small tree, which is notable for flowering in late-autumn. It is a good candidate for planting more extensively in Ottawa. Witch-Hazel is somewhat pollution tolerant and relatively trouble-free.
Mature size: 6-7 m (20-25 ft) tall, trunk up to 15 cm (6 in) in diameter Moisture: Best growth in moist, shaded sites
Shade: Full sun to partial shade Soil: Prefers moist, cool, acidic soil
Hard to Find in Local Nurseries but Desirable:
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)
Red Spruce (Picea rubens)
Black Maple (Acer nigrum)
Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Salt Tolerant Trees:
Black Cherry
Black Oak
Bur Oak
Common Hackberry
Eastern Cottonwood
Eastern Red Cedar
Honey Locust
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Red Oak
Silver maple
Swamp White Oak
White Oak
White Spruce
Sources: This list of suggestions draws heavily on the Tree Ottawa initiative of Ecology Ottawa (see http://ecologyottawa.ca/tree-ottawa/) and is compiled by Angela Keller-Herzog. All errors are hers but she benefitted from advice from a tree-loving motley crew that includes Owen Clarkin, Ann Coffey, Bettina Henkelman, Carol McLeod, Carla Hogan Rufelds and Peter Teitelbaum. Research regarding availability at local nurseries was contributed by Ecology Ottawa volunteers Nathan Bowler and Monica Wu.
If you are on your journey of tree learning and tree selection, another great local resource is the Plant Database of Richie’s Feed and Seed: http://plants.ritchiefeed.com/11090003/
If you would like to get involved with planting protecting & promoting more trees in the Glebe please contact us at [email protected] .
List of Local Nurseries
Peter Knippel Nursery 4590 Bank St., Ottawa ON, K1T 3W6 613-822-0383 http://knippelgardencentre.com/
Greenlife Ottawa Wholesale Nursery 1776 Manotick Station Rd., Ottawa ON, K4P 1K4 613-692-3047 http://www.greenlifenursery.ca/index.php
Ferguson Forest Centre 275 County Rd. 44, RR#4, Kemptville ON, K0G 1J0 613-258-0110 http://www.seedlingnursery.com/
Carleton Place Nursery Ltd County Rd. 29, Mississippi Mills ON, K7C 3P1 613-257-8175 http://www.carletonplacenursery.com/index.html
no email Pioneer Nursery Limited 632 Van Buren St., Kemptville ON, K0G 1J0 613-258-5555 http://www.pioneernursery.ca/en/
No email Richmond Nursery Inc 3440 Eagleson Rd., Ottawa ON, K0A 2Z0 613-838-2282 http://www.richmondnursery.com/
No email
Manotick Tree Movers 1966 Carsonby Rd. West, North Gower ON, K0A 2T0 613-489-1116 http://www.manoticktree.com/
Legault Garden Center 1810 Highway 34, Hawkesbury ON, K6A 2R2 613-632-1177 http://lesserreslegault.ca/en/company/company
no email Creekside Garden Center 5901 Ottawa St., Richmond ON, K0A 2Z0 613-838-5959 http://creeksidegardensottawa.com/
http://creeksidegardensottawa.com/contact-us/
Make it Green Nursery 5200 Flewellyn Rd, Stittsville, ON K2S 1B6 613-599-3419 http://www.makeitgreen.ca
Artistic Landscape Design 2079 Bank Pl, Ottawa, ON K1V 8A8 613-733-8220 http://www.artisticlandscape.on.ca/
http://www.artisticlandscape.on.ca/contact/contactform.aspx
Richies Feed and Seed 1390 Windmill Ln, Gloucester, ON K1B 4V5 613-741-4430 http://www.ritchiefeed.com
